Life achievement unlocked: Uncrumpling dollar bills

I am constantly amazed at some of the requests we get at the circulation desk for:

• Paperclips
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Poster board
• Markers
• Tape
• Note cards

Students seem to be unaware that the bookstore and the library are not one in the same. I am amazed by these requests, because when I was in school, the thought never crossed my mind that supplying these items was no ones responsibility other my own. I remember being a little too excited when I found a mini stapler that would easily fit in my pencil pouch. The independence, the self-reliance, the utter cuteness of small office supplies!

These simple requests got me thinking, "Why don't our students think the same way I did? Why do they not plan ahead and realize these are things they might need to bring from home or buy from the bookstore?" However, yesterday there was an incident that made me think this all comes down to the possibility that there is a generation that doesn't know how to problem solve.

I was sitting at the reference desk, and out of the corner of my eye, saw a youngish student walk up to the circulation desk. Since there was a student worker there, I turned my attention back to what I was doing, but not before hearing the words "change" and "copier" being uttered, and information about where to get change on campus being shared.  A minute or two passed, and the student worker walked over to me at the reference desk. I expected them to be holding a $5, or something larger, hence, the need to involve me, since our copier takes dollar bills. Imagine my confusion when they showed me a crumpled dollar bill and said, "The copier won't take it." I swooped in to save the day, and took the dollar bill, walked over to the copier, used the edge of a table to smooth the bill out, inserted it into the machine, and viola, copies!

"Thanks, I didn't even think of doing that!"

Didn't think of doing that?! So, the knowledge was there, but they didn't think about applying it? That's the FIRST thing I do when a machine won't take my dollar. The last thing I would think of doing was walking over to a service desk that doesn't have a cash register, and see if they have a nicer dollar bill I could swap.

Both the student, and student worker are in their early 20's, and were, presumably, educated in a system that teaches to pass a test, rather than encourage critical thinking skills. Is this incident indicative of a generation that, when posed with a problem, immediately looks for an answer from an external source? Maybe it isn't that they think the world should provide them with everything, but that they lack the skills to find the answer within themselves? Should I just be happy that they asked rather than left?

I know some students are looking for free stuff. But my hope is that thinking about these interactions in a different way means I'm more helpful, than annoyed, when presented with them in the future. Granted, another part of me wants to make business card sized maps with directions to the bookstore.

Quite quiet

Some days I really hate words. This might sound strange coming from a librarian, someone who is surrounded by words, but some days words make me their bitch. As I've gotten older, these days are further and further apart, but last week I had a couple of "I hate words days."

With classes starting up again, I've been hard at work putting the finishing touches on my AWESOME new teaching space (more on that at a later date). One of the last things that needed doing was a sign. During previous semesters, the space has been used as an unofficial "quiet study" area. This is a great use of the space, as I am not teaching every day, and the room is hidden in the back of the library. So, students are able to study in the room, without being disturbed by people walking through, or the inherent noise of service desks.

Now, in my defense, life has been a little hectic lately, and I have found that "I hate word days" increase their frequency when I'm feeling scattered, and unable to focus. So, I got my transparency, printed out the sign, trimmed it to fit, and installed it with the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with officially naming something. My puffed up chest was quickly deflated the next day, when my boss let me know that it said "quite" rather than "quiet".

Normally, I would have let this roll off my back and moved right along. However, earlier in the week, it was brought to my attention that there was a pretty obvious spelling error on a library/ literacy website I manage....... Just pause for a moment and think about that....... Yep, pretty embarrassing!

So, what's my point? Well, after all these years, just when I feel like I'm getting a handle on being dyslexic, it rears it's ugly head in a very public way. However, it's been a good reminder that I REALLY need to slooooooowwwwww down when I'm feeling stressed or tired. Especially when working on something that will be seen by the public. Last week also served as an affirmation for me. If I hadn't made people aware of my being dyslexic, they probably would have seen the events differently, and maybe been less forgiving. I'm not dumb, I'm dyslexic.

What have I learned?

ALA JobLIST posted this link on their Facebook page today.

This part:

My favorite, “What I’ve Learned,” detailed her year-long experience as an intern at an accelerator: ‘I learned: It’s better to ask a question, no matter how dumb you think you sound, than to pretend you know what you’re talking about’ and ‘I’ve come to appreciate networking and learned that being friendly, making connections, and maintaining solid relationships is a top priority.’

and this part:

She sent over what I call the “self-aware cover letter.” The content acknowledges how mundane most application materials are, but understands their necessity. I recall a virtual handshake, a hat-tip to all the cover letters before hers, a quirky summary of her talents, and absolutely impeccable grammar. If I’m remembering correctly, there were allusions to a horrible food sickness in a foreign country peppered in as well. I might’ve even LOL’d.

really got me thinking about what I've learned in the 7 years since I became a librarian. 

Here's a brief list I've started:

- That I love teaching/ training because it is empowering the student to help themselves. Give a student an article, and they won’t learn critical thinking skills. Teach a student to search, and you’ve given them a skill they can use the rest of their life.

- That I don’t always react appropriately when around upset/ irrational users, but have developed the ability to reflect on such interactions and determine what I did wrong, and how I can improve. I've learned that sometimes people just want to vent and aren't looking for a solution/ explanation. I have learned that I’m able to work with the "crazy" patrons. I’ll take crazy over irrational anyday!

- That I should never be a children’s librarian. I enjoyed craft time and getting to be silly during story time. However, it became clear that I can't work in an office that is constantly noisy, nor do I possess the energy required to put on an awesome storytime multiple times a week. I have now directed these interests and talents into roller derby and teaching.

- I’m OK asking obvious/ dumb questions in meetings, because people almost always come up to me afterwards and thank me for asking them and/ or they often lead to a discussion.

- That sharing a perceived weakness can turn it into a strength. Being a librarian, I felt I should hide that I was dyslexic. I mentioned it in passing to a Developmental Studies instructor, and they pointed out that it could be inspiring for their students to see that it is possible to overcome such challenges.

- That to be a great teacher means never sitting back and saying, “Yes, that lesson plan is done, and I will never have to change it.” Being a great teacher means constantly assessing what you’re doing and incorporating new ideas and technology. This not only keeps things interesting for students, it keeps it interesting for me too!

- That I enjoy marketing/ outreach more than I ever thought I would. My first roommate in college, upon meeting me for the first time, thought I was a cheerleader because I was so excited. At the time, I thought this was a preposterous idea, as I had always thought myself quite the polar opposite of a cheerleader. Little did I know I'd become a cheerleader for libraries, learning, and roller derby!

These sections also got me thinking about completely revamping my cover letter and resume to make them more personable (maybe get a LOL) and specifically address what I can bring to each position, rather than listing what I've already done. 

Extreme Librarianship

"Extreme Librarianship" is my first book idea, and it was all inspired by this PBS POV piece.

Watch A Visit From Biblioburro on PBS. See more from POV.

I first saw this video a few years ago, and that's when I came up with the idea for the book. I was inspired by this teachers commitment to literacy in such adverse conditions, and this got me thinking about what other conditions librarians around the world were practicing their craft. So, this lead to a brainstorming session of what I meant by "extreme." For the purposes of the book, I decided "extreme" would be remote or unexpected locations, and/or physically extreme/ hazardous conditions. Here is the brief list I came up with:

• Peace Corps.
• Military/ Carrier or Submarine
• Cruise Ship
• Scientific Expedition
• High Security Prison
• McMurdo or other Antarctica location

Overarching ideas/ hopes I have for the book, based on this brief list are: 

• Show that people have information needs everywhere, though different, these people have dedicated themselves to informing their users. 
• Struggles based on location and user population. 
•  Debunk “librarian” stereotype. 
• Librarians are still needed all over the world >> librarianship/ libraries are not dead. 
•  Fulfill my desire to travel/ take photos. Meet new people. Learn about my chosen profession. 
•  This book will be focused on usable/ actionable information for professionals/ expanding idea of what profession is, rather than information about countries/ generalities.

2013 NMLA Conference Presentation

This is kind of a half-assed first post, but I figure I've got to start somewhere! Here are the slides from my most recent presentation at the NMLA Conference in Albuquerque last month. I was only expecting 10 or so people, so was happily surprised when I got to tell a room of 30 or so colleagues my story. 

 

The Dyslexic Liberrian from Deana Brown